he doorway, Kael's wor

, the harder it will be

hat?" she asked, h

like he was holding something back. "Just... trus

does that even mean? Look, I don't know what your p

nt, he looked torn, as though battling some inner conflict. "I

shoulders disappearing into the shadows of the hallway. The s

pounding. She didn't know what was worse the crypt

llage'

on, and the villagers avoided Lena's eyes more than usual. Whispers foll

uldn't

be able to

est is w

knot in her stomach tightened. Somet

hushed tones with another villager. The moment Len

greeted with forced che

paused, then decided to test the wa

ng-fear? Worry? "Kael's a good man," she said caref

f burdens?"L

around the edge of the counter. "The k

man in a flannel shirt entered. He glared at Lena like she was an intrude

d a loaf of bread and left, he

in th

decided to explore the edge of the forest. The v

r ears and made her hyper-aware of every twig snapping underfoot. Sunli

cooler and the shadows longer. She told herself she'd turn back soon, but a s

ow growl that sent a

g around the trees. "Hello?

e her heart leap. She took a s

lver eyes glowed with an intelligence that made her breath catch. It didn'

k, but the words tumbled out before she co

ts head, almost a

erced the air. The wolf's ears perked, and it turned,

el standing several yards

oing out here?"He demand

ered. "What was that? That wolf..

firm but not painful. "I told y

aring at him. "What is wrong with this place

oked like he was about to say something, but then he shook

. "I came here to escape my past, but whatever's hap

ssion remained guarded. "You don't

ke me un

city, but before either could say more, a howl

toward the trees, and his voice dropped

abou

hand

was already moving, disappearin

shake the image of the wolf or the way Kael had looked at her as i

ade her pause. Heart pounding, she

standing in the street,

e swore she saw i